Former lawmaker and human rights advocate, Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, has publicly criticized the decision to rename the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a strongly worded statement, Senator Sani urged President Tinubu to decline the honour, emphasizing that public monuments and institutions of historical significance should not be renamed without a deep appreciation of their historical and symbolic value.
The announcement of the renaming was made on Tuesday by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. According to the minister, the ICC would henceforth be known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Senator Sani, however, expressed strong reservations about this move. He noted that the ICC was constructed during the regime of former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Retired), and has, over the years, stood as a landmark of national pride.
The Centre, he explained, is more than just a building — it represents Nigeria’s unity and has played host to countless diplomatic, political, and cultural events that underscore its significance in the country’s history.
In his view, renaming the ICC not only disregards the legacy of those who oversaw its establishment but also risks erasing an important chapter in Nigeria’s national development. He argued that acts of commemoration should be thoughtfully considered and aligned with meaningful contributions by the individuals being honoured.
While acknowledging the importance of recognizing national leaders for their service, Senator Sani insisted that such tributes should be associated with new infrastructure, initiatives, or policies initiated or completed during the tenure of the honouree.
“The International Conference Centre in Abuja was constructed under the leadership of President Ibrahim Babangida. It is inappropriate to rename it after President Tinubu. The President should respectfully decline this gesture,” he asserted.
Senator Sani’s statement highlights the broader debate over how national memory and legacy should be preserved, and whether renaming key institutions aligns with the principles of historical continuity and respect for past leadership.